Launch Report, 14 December 1997

test launch

At MWRC-97, Lila Schmaker converted an Estes Turbo-Copter to return on the helicopter built into the nose cone. On ignition, the model disappeared from the pad and was never seen again.

Even so, it looked like a neat idea to me, so I decided to try that conversion for myself. I built the model in November, but the weather was not cooperative for a test flight until today - and, since I haven't burned any black powder since October, I decided to wander over to the local park and give it a try.

I pre-loaded the Turbo-Copter with a 1/2A6-2, grabbed my porta-pad and electron-beam launch controller and walked the couple blocks to the park. The temperature was about 25 degrees farenheit and almost no wind. I set up the pad in the middle of the park, loaded up the rocket, connected the leads and - Countdown. Beautiful launch, considerably higher than I had expected - up to about a 140-150 feet, and ejection at apogee! The rocket dropped for about 20-30 feet before the nose-cone helicopter blades spun up but then recovery was nominal. The rocket landed undamaged about 50 feet from the pad.

After the launch and recovery, I picked up my gear and walked back home to assess the flight.

I didn't time this flight, but considering the altitude obtained on the 1/2A engine, I think it would have easily beaten all the Skywinders back at MWRC-97 flying on a C ;-). I'm looking forward to trying some larger motors in this little bird and timing the flights.

Rognlies of Racine
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Last Updated: 8 January 1998
Author: Alan Rognlie
Email: arrognli@execpc.com
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unless otherwise noted, all images are copyright © 1997, 1998 by Jeanne Rognlie - all rights reserved